Twitter cash treasure hunt hits Chicago

A portion of the home page for the @HiddencashChi Twitter account. (Chicago Tribune illustration)

Lolly BoweanTribune reporter

A social media craze that sends residents on a treasure hunt for hidden envelopes of cash has hit Chicago.

The Hidden Cash Twitter frenzy was first reported in San Francisco and Los Angeles when an anonymous donor began leaving envelopes of cash tucked around landmarks in those regions. The donor tweeted clues to followers so they could find the free money.

No one has been able to identify the original donor. But the movement has inspired others across the country to do the same thing. Envelopes of cash have been found in Washington D.C., Tampa and New Orleans with the instructions to 'pay it forward,' reports show.

In Chicago, the Hidden Cash Twitter handle (@hiddencashchi) was created about a week ago. Since then, it has garnered more than 6,300 followers.

Last week, the donor announced there would be four envelopes of cash hidden in Chicago neighborhoods.

On Monday morning, two residents tweeted photos reporting that they found the hidden money, which appeared to be about $40.

One man said on Twitter that he located an envelope with two $20 dollar bills tucked inside while dropping off used sweaters at a donation box in West Town.

A second woman reported that she found a hidden envelope of cash and used a portion of it to buy coffee for strangers. Neither could be immediately reached for comment.

By the middle of the day, dozens of residents tweeted the donor asking that money be hidden in other parts of Chicago, like Chatham, Hyde Park, Bridgeport, Ravenswood, Logan Square and Roseland. Others tweeted their approval.